Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Life-Changing Poetry
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, renowned poet, novelist and essayist of the 19th century, has topped the list of favorites for the past two centuries. Her works, although primarily in the romantic genre, addressed a wide range of issues varying from religious and economic to political. A poet of profound depth and insight, Elizabeth Barrett Browning focused on personal feelings and emotions, as well as on social and political issues.
Her poignant and emotionally-charged writings not only engendered a sense of compassion in the readers, but also inspired them to think on different topics that had long been considered taboo. Most of her works are exemplary examples of the confessional and intimate style of literature. While some of her works have particularly stood the test of time and remain revered by millions, the truth is that the impact of her writing extends far beyond her own time.
I had the privilege to experience firsthand how her writings shaped my life. Having read her powerful yet subtle poetry and felt the enriching power of her prose, no doubt it was Elizabeth Barrett Browning who ultimately saved me from my despair. What was once a dull and tiresome life, full of disappointment and regret, slowly began to transform into a life full of purpose and joy.
When I read her words
“Let the solid ground
Not fail beneath my feet
Before my life has found
What some have found so sweet”
It was evident she had a way of touching people’s souls and helping them lighten their burdens. Her words were like a healing balm to a weary soul; her words conveyed truths that were everlasting.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s influence on me was manifold. Her words not only got me committed to living a life of independence, but her writings made me think more deeply about life and its mysteries. Her words provided me with insight and direction when I felt lost. Her words instilled in me a sense of courage, a sense of hope and optimism. With her quotes I chose to take charge of my life and grab life by the horns.
Following in her revolutionary footsteps, I started making changes that eventually took me to places I never dreamed of going. Her works, with their inspiring messages, made me believe that anything was possible if I was determined enough. On numerous occasions her words consoled me when I was in despair and guided me on the path to progress. Hence, it could be said that Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s works played a significant role in giving me a new lease on life.
Living a Life of Gratitude
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s writing enabled me to live a more meaningful and purposeful life. Her words and quotes pushed me to use my potential to the fullest and appreciate my blessings and failures. Before reading her works, I was often consumed by a sense of guilt and regret, but as I progressed on my journey of life, her words gave me wings and courage.
Hugging the sorrows of my past goodbye with her wise words such as
“No coward soul is mine”
I chose to live a life of gratitude. Instead of focusing on the negatives in life, I started to rejoice in the positives and appreciate the little things. I began to cherish every single moment, no matter how big or small, and stopped dwelling in regrets and bitterness. Her words compelled me to find my purpose in life and strive to fulfill it, while also accepting that failure was, and will always be, a part of life.
In addition to that, Elizabeth Barrett Browning had advocated for women’s rights in her writings. She praised strong and independent women who dared to take charge of their lives and made her stance on gender equality clear. Reading her works, I felt empowered and inspired to stand for what I believed in without feeling guilty or ashamed. Her extraordinary insights liberated me and strengthened my courage, making me believe that I can do all that I set my mind to, even if the world disapproved of it.
Acknowledging the Power of Words
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s works made me realize the power of words and their ability to move mountains, even when spoken in silence. Her words spoke directly to the heart and illuminated my soul with messages of hope, courage, and resilience. By manifesting her own personal courage through her writings, she taught her readers, irrespective of various backgrounds and beliefs, to live with courage and defy their fears.
With the preaching of her epic works such as
“Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven”
she encouraged her readers to remain strong and never give up, no matter how hard times become. Her words comforted me and showed me the power of finding strength in one’s adversity.
The beauty of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s works was in the fact that she did not reserve her words only for her era but ensured they are powerful and relevant even hundreds of years after they were written. Which explains why today, we can still feel the power of her words, the truth in them, and the feeling of liberation they bring.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning and the Power of Vision
What truly made Elizabeth Barrett Browning remarkable was her power of vision. She saw further than what was present and wrote of it with eloquence. Her insight and depth of understanding made her writings so powerful and alive, even to this day. I felt that she had thought of everything, of life and its joys, sorrows, and possibilities.
Her insight-filled words such as
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach”
opened my eyes to the secrets of life and enabled me to appreciate its every nuance and each challenge. Her writings also made me realize that true love, life, and joy were elusive and untamed, only attainable through a courageous journey.
In addition to that, her advocacy of strong values and morality touched my heart. Her words helped me in developing my ethics and enabled me to look unto the future with a sense of purpose. Her words provided me with the tools necessary to stand for what I believed in and gave me the strength to keep going even when I felt exhausted.
From Despair to Joy
Ultimately, it was Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s words that helped me in finding joy in the little moments that life offers. By expressing her feelings and experiences of life, Elizabeth Barrett Browning allowed me to comprehend them in ways I never dreamed. Her works opened up a whole new realm of possibility, hope, enthusiasm, and levity. I realized that joy was not the absence of sadness but the presence of understanding.
Her poems such as
“Fear death? – to feel the fog in my throat,
The mist in my face
When the snows begin, and the blasts denote
I am nearing the place…
Where by turning, on,lovers exist
To the last, in the leaf of the forest
Of life, where they believed They were broken
Never broken heart”
invoked my sorrows and beautified them. Her words enabled me to feel comfortable with my vulnerability and cherish the joys of life.
Thus, it can be said that Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s works had a powerful and life-altering impact on me. Her writings inspired me to have unwavering courage, optimism, and resilience.
